James Anderson’s presence in the 2025 Ashes is hinted to by Ben Stokes

On July 12, at Lord’s, James Anderson played his final match against the West Indies, which England won by an innings and 114. Despite taking just one wicket in the first innings, Anderson managed to score three in the second. He was the favourite to take the game’s last wicket, but he was unable to do so since he dropped Gudakesh Motie’s catch off his own bowling. But when Gus Atkinson took the last wicket, he was satisfied.

For the upcoming two Test matches against the West Indies, the team will be accompanied by the seasoned pacer who will serve as a mentor. Ben Stokes, the captain of England, alluded to a full-fledged role for Anderson inside the England team when asked about his function beyond that of mentor during the 2025 Ashes series. In addition to acknowledging that he won’t be a technique-focused mentor, the right-arm pacer expressed interest in being available for the team when needed.

Indeed, without a doubt. We are requesting that he remain because of this. There isn’t a better individual in my opinion to have an impact on all fast bowlers if he truly wants to see bowlers advance as much as he did in his own career. According to Stokes, who was quoted by Daily Mail, “I’m really excited to see how that goes.”

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I will not, in any case, teach someone how to bowl, Anderson continued. As a sounding board, I’ll be available to them whenever they need me. I’ll attempt to assist them as much as I can by keeping an eye on every ball they bowl.”

James Anderson lifts his toast one final time.

At the end of his international career, the 41-year-old had taken 704 wickets in 188 Test matches, which ranked third in the format’s history. It is noteworthy that only spinners Shane Warne and Muttiah Muralitharan are ahead of him in the all-time table, and he leads the pacers in the list of most Test wickets. The veteran of England stood in the Lord’s balcony, where he made his debut, and proposed a toast after the match.